The senate has restated its position rejecting Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
On December 15, 2016, the upper legislative chamber rejected the nomination of Magu as the EFCC chairman, citing a security report from the country’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) as the reason for its decision.
Ali Ndume, the senate majority leader, made a spirited attempt to save Ibrahim Magu. He went to visit President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa on Monday, December 20, 2016. After the meeting, he addressed state house correspondents and sent a conflicting signal by saying that Magu’s confirmation was not denied but deferred.
“Let me say categorically that the senate did not reject Ibrahim Magu. What happened was that when we selected his confirmation for Thursday, we had an issue or a letter from the Department of State Security (DSS) that could not allow us to continue with the confirmation without further clarifications,” Ndume told the press.
But on Tuesday, Aliyu Sabi, spokesperson of the senate, tweeted that Magu was indeed rejected.
Different media platforms are reporting we did not reject @officialEFCC Magu, Senate's official position remains he was rejected- Sen Sabi
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) December 20, 2016
The Obscene Corrupt LifeStyle of Magu – DSS
There are now more details about the security report that prompted the senate to reject the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In the report, Magu is accused of living in a N40 million mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired air commodore who is allegedly involved in shady deals.
There have been reports of no love lost between Magu and the DSS director, Lawal Daura, who authored the indictment.
“Investigation on the chairmanship of Magu revealed that in August 2008 during the tenure of Farida Waziri as the commission’s chairman, some sensitive documents which were not supposed to be at the disposal of Magu were discovered in his house. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the police force,” said the report seen by TheCable.
“In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as chairman, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.
“Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.
“For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.
“Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.
“In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns.”
